Swansea, Berkley farms get $10,000 matching grants from state

SWANSEA — Farming operations in Swansea and Berkley were among a half-dozen awarded matching grants to improve farm operations, the state Department of Agricultural Resources announced Tuesday.

While most of the farms sharing the $55,000 in total grants were in western Massachusetts, the Pelletier hay farm is a third-generation farm operated by Raymond Pelletier and three of his four children, his wife, Dawn, said.

They lease about 100 acres in Swansea and Rehoboth to farm custom round hay bales, and moved the operation three years ago from Brook Street in Rehoboth to 365 Old Fall River Road in Swansea, Dawn Pelletier said.

It’s situated southwest of Vinnicum Road and Locust Street in the rural part of town.

“I am glad to see MDAR investing in new farmers such as the Pelletiers' hay farm. With this grant, Pelletiers' hay will be able to purchase new machinery that will increase farm efficiency and produce economic growth,” state Sen. Michael Rodrigues, D-Westport, said in a press release issue by the Baker-Polito administration.

Dawn Pelletier said the farm is matching the $10,000 grant with proceeds from the prior year to help them purchase new equipment including a tractor.

State Rep. Steven Howitt, R-Seekonk, echoed sentiments from elected officials. “MEGA grants are an excellent way of assisting new farmers in their efforts to make key farm improvements and make their operations more viable,” he said.

Gov. Charlie Baker said their administration “is committed to supporting new farmers and their valuable contributions to the state and regional food systems.”

Another $10,000 matching grant was awarded to Heart Beets Farm in Berkley, a small organic vegetable farm between the Taunton River and Assonet Neck.

Stephen and Sarah Murray started the organic family farm in 2014 by renting 5 acres off Kettle Pond Farm and expanded the next year, according to their website.

“We are a true family farm,” it says. “We derive our entire income from the farm, raise our kids on the farm, eat from the farm and live on the farm,” says Heart Beets’ brief history.

It says the farm is one of the few in Bristol County certified as organic and the closest in the area to Taunton.

Email Michael Holtzman at mholtzman@heraldnews.com or call him at 508-676-2573.